Fying with Firearms

[PaIadin]

From what I understand, if one is flying with firearms then the gun must be stored unloaded with the ammo in its original box. The hardsided container with the firearms needs to be locked so only the owner can access the contents.

With that in mind, I have a Pelican 1650 large hardsided case. Any experience with putting a pistol in an hardcase without a locking mechanism then declaring the enite pelican case as containing your firearm?

In essance, this prevents the TSA from searching any of your luggage.


P.S.

Yes, don't like the TSA paws on my stuff and want to restrict their access as much as possible to prevent theft.

[dobek]

Actually - it is a great idea to put valuables (camera's stuff like that) in with the gun - then lock that baby up with a NON TSA lock - - they can't open unless you are present.

If you want to put clothes etc - no prob - just make sure you can lock the 1650 - then the entire 1650 becomes the locked case.

Steve

[SkyHawk]

This guy does it https://youtube.com/watch?v=qI-YYWDYXJ4

Skip to 4:30 to see his 'luggage'. He locks it with heavy Abloy locks. Keep watching you can see the guns in unlocked soft cases inside, and later when these big cases come off the conveyor onto the luggage carousel

[SonofWWIIDI]

I have friends that come in from out of state. They typically put their guns, ammo (limited amount, in original factory boxes), and any other valuable stuff in a one case (like the pelican), lock it with a non TSA lock (or more than one lock), and declare it.

It gets inspected in your presence to ensure its unloaded and sent on to the baggage carrier.

None of them have ever had a problem. I do however, recall a thread here where someone was essentially forced to relinquish the combo for the lock to the TSA or risk losing his seat on the plane. Even though that is, IIRC, against TSA rules.

YMMV.

Good luck!

[Abu Riyah]

This guy, Deviant Ollam, does it as a rule:

Website: http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/

Video from DEFCON:

[dwalker]

Multiple guns no problem on Southwest or Delta so far





I store ammo in MGM or similar ammo boxes or the original cardboard box and use tape to keep them from coming open.

[RickD427]

That works just fine.

The non-TSA lock is required by law. It doesn't stop the TSA from inspecting the bag. In every case where I have done so, the ticket agent has directed me to a TSA employee who inspected the bag in my presence, and then I attached the lock.

There is no federal requirement for ammunition to be carried in the original container. The feds only require that it be in a suitable container. Some airlines, as a policy matter, do require that it be in the original packaging.

[dwalker]

Also just for clarification- I do not put my ammo in my gun case. I put it in my checked luggage and I only carry ammo that I am unlikely to be able to buy locally wherever I go, usually slugs, my gamer pistol loads, and long range rifle ammo.

[bsim]

6+ years of using a 1650 with my clothes and stuff in it, with one or more soft sleeves with pistols.

Non-TSA locks on the outer case, no issues.

[L84CABO]

There shouldn't be any problem with this based on my understanding of the regulations. But note that I've never tried it as I've never flown with a firearm yet. But it's how I would do it (Make your whole suitcase the gun case). The only downside to using a Pelican case, however, is that they're heavy. I think a 1650 case weighs about 28 pounds. So that will get you up to the 50 lb limit most airlines have pretty quickly. As long as you can stay under the limit or your cool with paying the overage, then no issues. Otherwise try to find a similar larger but lighter case.

Personally, I also think it's a good idea to use a large case. The small case inside a case method makes an easy target for someone to grab and quickly shove into a backpack or under a coat. No way someone can easily hide at 1650 case.

Let us know how it goes when you get back.

Travel safe!

[Mitch]

Also just for clarification- I do not put my ammo in my gun case. I put it in my checked luggage and I only carry ammo that I am unlikely to be able to buy locally wherever I go, usually slugs, my gamer pistol loads, and long range rifle ammo.

They let you check ammunition? Amazing. I thought that was prohibited.

Last month on her way to SHOT Show one of my employees was stopped at the x-ray machines while TSA removed several live 12 gauge shotgun slugs from her carry-on bag. She didn't know they were in there. TSA just wanted them gone.

[jcourson]

They let you check ammunition? Amazing. I thought that was prohibited.

Last month on her way to SHOT Show one of my employees was stopped at the x-ray machines while TSA removed several live 12 gauge shotgun slugs from her carry-on bag. She didn't know they were in there. TSA just wanted them gone.

In a carry on bag would not be checked. The total amount varies by airline, but expect to be able to check ~11 pounds of ammo.

If you fly out of the San Diego airport, don't expect to be able to be present when they search your case. It is either give up the keys, or don't fly.

[k1dude]

What's Fying?

Is that a perverted sexual thing?

[Mitch]

In a carry on bag would not be checked. The total amount varies by airline, but expect to be able to check ~11 pounds of ammo.

Well, that's what I meant, carry-on. I guess you can check almost anything.

[dwalker]

They let you check ammunition? Amazing. I thought that was prohibited.

Last month on her way to SHOT Show one of my employees was stopped at the x-ray machines while TSA removed several live 12 gauge shotgun slugs from her carry-on bag. She didn't know they were in there. TSA just wanted them gone.

A few weeks ago on my flight back from Nashville TSA found ONE live 9mm round in my carry-on buried deep in a pants pocket. They just removed it and threw it in a bin they had there for the purpose. The real trick is they somehow completely missed the Leatherman Carbon Skeletool in my backack that I had forgotten to put in my checked bag.